The Original Muck Boot Company Edgewater II Review

We liked the Edgewater II for its versatile temperature range, moderate shaft height, and low weight, though it could have been improved with a more intense outsole.

Performance Comparison

Water Resistance

With a shaft height of 14.6 inches, the Edgewater II kept our feet perfectly dry and comfortable in the Puget Sound and other waterways. We liked the flexibility of the neoprene, and were happy to find that it was completely waterproof, no matter how we stretched and pushed it around underwater. These boots fit into the rough "mid-height boot" category in our test and were enough for forays into less than a foot of water. Over a foot, we worried that splashes and waves would make their way into the boots. For a higher boot, check out the Baffin Enduro. And if a slightly lower height is ok, the Bogs Ultra Classic High features the same neoprene style but feels a lot more solid and fits more snugly.

Comfort

The Edgewater II boots were moderately comfortable. We found that while they generally felt similar to the Bogs Ultra Classic High, the Edgewater II boots were squishier, less supportive and also fit slightly looser. The included insoles added some cushioning but provided no substantive support for our high arches. Without additional arch support, we found we developed pain in the backs of our heels over a few hours of use. When we added our own insoles, the boots fit better and allowed us to spend over 8 hours in the boot at a time without issues.

Depending on what you're looking for, the Bogs Ultra Classic High are an improvement on these boots - while the Bogs are a fair amount heavier, they also feel more protective and supportive.

Traction

Regardless of the terrain, the Edgewater II performed relatively poorly. The outsole is relatively shallow zig-zagging textured rubber, though the Original Muck Boot Company calls this pattern an "aggressive waffle high traction rubber outsole". We were unimpressed by these boots' hold on snow, ice, wet grass, and mud. They did fine on flat surfaces and asphalt, but we found ourselves slipping (not constantly, but enough to feel uncertain) on enough surfaces that we don't recommend these boots for their traction. If traction is a priority, the Original Muck Boot Company Arctic Sport and the Baffin Enduro both significantly outperform the Edgewater II on all surface types tested.

Warmth

The Edgewater II boots, while featuring relatively thin neoprene with "breathable Airmesh", did not provide much in terms of warmth, which is the point. They were warmer than the uninsulated thinner boots in practical applications and wearing socks. When we wore them in the ice water bathtub without socks, we found that we could begin to feel the cold after around 4 minutes, and we became uncomfortably cold after 6 minutes. This performance put them right around the middle of the tested boots, so if you're looking for a mildly insulated boot that won't be too hot in more temperate weather, these might fit the bill.

They're marketed as "comfortable from 25 to 65 degrees", and we'd believe it (though they'll get a bit chilly at 25 depending on how hard you're exercising, and pretty sweaty at 65). If you'd like a less insulated boot, the Baffin Enduro is a great option (with stiffer construction), and if you're looking for more warmth, the Arctic Sport is well insulated, more comfortable, and comes from the same manufacturer.

Style

The Edgewater II aren't designed to be stylish boots, but we didn't mind their more utilitarian looks and were willing to wear them out and about. One thing's for sure - they're obviously rain boots. We liked their light green color, which was a nice change from the darker green and blacks of the other boots. If you're looking for a less obvious rain boot and don't mind giving up some shaft height, the Bogs Carson is perfect for you.

Ease of Use

With a shaft circumference of 15 inches, the Edgewater II was easy to slip on and off, but the slightly snugger fit of the neoprene required us to spend some time packing our regular cut pant legs into the boots (similar to the Arctic Sport). These boots didn't feature any of the ease of use features we found in other boots (handles, heel studs for boot removal, etc.), but they weren't hard to use. These boots, with their relatively casual outsole, were very easy to wash off with a hose.

Fit

These fit a little looser than the other boots, with 3/4ths of an inch forward and back for our size 12 feet, and a quarter inch of play left and right (for our D width). They are fairly generous on the volume, and our feet flapped around a bit (though not as much as in the Baffin Enduros).

Best Applications

Due to their minimal insulation (which is unique in our test), the Edgewater II can get by in a variety of temperatures without being too uncomfortable. These would be ideal for outdoor chores and light errands, though they're not cushioned and supportive enough for all-day general use. These are more of a light duty workboot than anything else, and we wouldn't recommend them for anything too extreme due to their lack of traction.

Value

These boots retail for ~$130, which is only $15 cheaper than the Bogs Ultra Classic High. While there are reasons you might want the Edgewater II over the Bogs (the Edgewater II is less insulated, less heavy, and has a higher shaft height), we ultimately found we preferred the Bogs, with their solid, supportive construction and handy extra features. And the best value is the Baffin Enduro ($55), which costs less than half as much as the Edgewater II.

Conclusion